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Hitachi Develops Super-Advanced Smartphone LCD Display

Posted: 11 Feb 2011 04:41 AM PST

Hitachi subsidiary Hitachi Displays yesterday announced [JP] that it has developed a new LCD display for smartphones whose quality reaches the "limit of what is discernible to the human eye". And a look at the spec sheet reveals that big H is indeed prepping quite a display. Read the rest on MobileCrunch.


Somehow Interesting: Fingerprint Patterns After Using iPad Apps

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 06:23 PM PST


There are certainly more sophisticated ways of doing UI heat mapping and click tracking, but this lo-fi version is easier to relate to, and what’s more, you can do it at home! All George Kokkinidis at Design Language News did was clean the iPad’s screen carefully, use an app for a little while, and then photograph the screen in such a way that the fingerprints caught the light. Voila, instant heat map.

It’d be interesting to try this backwards: look at a fingerprint pattern and try to reconstruct the usage scenario from there.

[via Waxy]

The iPhone Nano Rumor Reborn: 1/3rd Smaller, Older Components, $200 With No Contract

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 05:22 PM PST

Just in case you haven't had enough Apple rumors in the past 24 hours... Hot off the heels of the talk that Apple is planning to release the iPad 2 in a few weeks — and then another new version of the iPad in the fall (something which we've heard from a very good source), here comes another one. Today, Bloomberg is reporting that Apple is working on a smaller, cheaper version of the iPhone. And here's the thing. Once again, we've heard this as well. Not to play second fiddle to Bloomberg's story, but we'd previously heard from a source (different from the iPad one) that Apple was definitely at work on a device that could be thought of as an "iPhone nano". We'd been trying to dig for more, but had yet to come up with anything substantial. But it looks as if Bloomberg has, in a similar vein.


Antec’s New Rockus 2.1 Desktop Speaker Set Promises 3D Sound

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 04:58 PM PST


Antec is mostly known for their PC cases and components, but a lot of those manufacturers have been getting into other games over the last few years, and some, like Corsair, have actually come up with some really well-reviewed audio gear. Antec’s soundscience rockus system (yes, they have it in all lower-case, because they’re emo) was just announced, and hopes to put itself onto desktops around the world by promising in-speaker 3D virtualization of stereo sound.

Bunk? Maybe. But we’ll find out when we review ‘em.

Each of the satellites is 25W, plus 100W in the subwoofer, which they claim provides a lot of oomph for its size. The 3D effect can be switched on and off via the little control pod, which also lets you switch between the optical and analog inputs. I don’t see a headphone port on there, though, which isn’t a good sign. Gamers love headphones, and they don’t love climbing around behind their desk to plug them in.

The new speakers are available now for $250. Hopefully we’ll get our hands on a pair soon and let you know if they’re worth it over, say, the capable, (and penguinish) Logitech Z623s, which cost $150.

X-Men: First Class Trailer Actually Looks Pretty Great

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 04:39 PM PST


If they don’t try to please everyone and focus on the core X-Men group, I think this new X-Men movie might actually be good. I don’t really have any hope for Thor, but that one was doomed from the beginning.

The movie’s hitting on June 3rd, so mark your calendars. That’s just before E3, too… I smell a tie-in announcement!

Verizon iPhone Teardown Reveals Only Minor Changes

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 03:54 PM PST

Sorry, no CDMA unicorns or solid-gold Verizon logos hidden inside the new version of the iPhone 4. Just a few tweaks here and there.

Continue reading…

iPhone Nano Rumors Resurface In Report

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 03:30 PM PST

We’ve been hearing “iPhone Nano” rumors for a long time. In 2007, 2008, 2009, though strangely not 2010, we heard from suppliers, case makers, tipsters, sources, and so on that there’d be a new, smaller iPhone out there soon, but it has never materialized.

So what makes this newest rumor, reported by Bloomberg, any different? Nothing, really. We’re just passing on the word.

Continue reading…

Shock Survey Reveals: People Don’t Like Crashing Gadgets

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 02:56 PM PST

A new survey done by Accenture has revealed that people in the world today are “increasingly frustrated with devices that frequently crash or don’t work as well as expected.” Well blow me down!

It’s no surprise, of course, and the survey could probably have dug a little deeper, but it does reveal a few issues with the way gadgets are going these days. Smartphones and tablets are attempting to do way more than the average user needs them for. Unfortunately, you can’t just say “give me an iPhone, hold the Bluetooth.” The configuration thing is more for PCs, and people want their phone to just work. So it ends up being extra-frustrating when something they just want to do one or two things fails because it was trying to do ten.

This is why I still love my Zune HD. Everyone who uses it finds it pleasant and simple, and although it too tries to do too much (and fails), it’s never failed at its primary purpose: playing music.

Unfortunately, single-purpose devices means you own more things, maintain them, lose them, and so on. The instability and “kitchen sink mentality” is the other side of the convergence and convenience coin.

A Vintage Typewriter, Artfully Exploded

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 02:04 PM PST

Just really quickly take a look at what goes into the creation of a mechanical typewriter. Todd McLellan took one apart and arranged the pieces as you see here (click for the larger version). I love the branch-looking bits that form the matrix for keydowns.

It reminds me of the Engineer Guy’s look at the elegant Selectric typewriter. I love these old things — I just wish they were still practical.

[via Flavor Wire]

Could Games Be The Next Proverbial “Water Cooler”?

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 01:42 PM PST


Ubisoft’s Jade Raymond, who you are probably familiar with because she’s the good-looking one from the Assassin’s Creed team, makes some interesting points in this interview over at Gamasutra. As gaming moves more into the mainstream, there’s a tension building regarding the social component — that is to say, millions of people are playing games, but do we talk about them at work? Do we consider them a shared experience with our friends? Raymond hopes that “game life” will merge with “real life” and games will no longer be a parallel world, participated in but not discussed.

Think about Inception. It was a great movie, but not only that, it was something that you and many of your friends participated in together — not just in going to see it, but in how, like other good movies, it actually reached outside the theater to be a part of your day-to-day life. “You see Inception yet?” was the phrase of the season, yet despite the popularity of major game franchises, you didn’t hear your workmates asking “You play Black Ops yet?”

Sure, you hear it from some, but Raymond hopes that games will move past this stage where gaming is something you only share with other gamers. In a way, I feel we’re already past that with games like Zelda and Mario, which are more or less common currency with my generation. Will games like Bioshock and Assassin’s Creed break that wall too?

I suspect that won’t happen for a while; there are precious few games that can really be enjoyed by both you and the guys in marketing, and the secretary, and so on. Conversely, cinema and books have already done their time, and now something like Inception can legitimately be enjoyed by everyone and made a part of our lives. I share Raymond’s hopes, but I’d say there are still quite a few years left before the office chatter is about Dead Space 2.

Hybrid Table-Lamp Is… Practical

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 12:40 PM PST


This lamp-table by Thomas Jenkins is actually a pretty idea, though I can see two problems: a short or electrical problem, or dust and fluff caught back there, could actually set that sucker on fire. There’s a reason most lamps aren’t made of particle board. Second, I’m afraid pulling the toggle will wobble the table and spill your water all over the comic book you just put down.

With an LED bulb and a little QA, though, both of these are avoidable. Onward, Tablamp!

Konkreet Performer: A Sweet Visual Music Tool For iPad

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 12:20 PM PST


If you’re at all into the digital music creation world, be it via MIDI, virtualized drum kits and synths, or what have you, this app probably deserves your attention. It’s a visual interface and performance tool that uses… I really can’t tell what sort of visual metaphor for controlling the various aspects of your music. It certainly looks like a very unique tool, and the video’s worth a watch even if you’re not into electronic music.

At $25, it’s not an impulse buy or “hey check this out” app, it’s an actual performance tool. I’m not even going to pretend I’m familiar with all the things this app can do, so you’d best just head on over to the app page and find out.

Lots more info at the Konkreet Labs page, too.

Alert Phone Lets Your Loved Ones Warn You When They’ve Wandered Off

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 12:13 PM PST

This tiny phone from ZTE/Softbank serves two purposes. When you press the button, it sends a message to a select group of family and friends informing them where you are. When you pull the ripcord, it sends out an alert. For something so simple, it looks like it could save a lot of lives.


Review: ScottEVest XAE Leather Jacket

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 11:31 AM PST

So you’re a handsome devil. We all know it. But what do you need to frame your steel-cut jaw and straight-edge browline? A leather jacket, that’s what.

It’s hard to pull off the leather jacket look. Leather jackets have long been the realm of rock stars, sexually-frustrated fans of WWII bombers, and people who ride mopeds. That’s why I was initially wary of the ScottEVest XAE Leather Jacket, a special 10th anniversary garment made to celebrate a decade of jackets with lots of pockets.

And pockets this thing does have. This $450 jacket is made of delicate lambskin burnished a rich brown and it has enough slots to smuggle a family of Smurfs out of an evil wizard convention.

First, a bit of disclosure. I’ve been wearing SEV gear for years. I love their hoodies and some of their shirts. The pants I could go either way on and I always wear their jackets. Of late I’ve found that some of the zippers on the jackets and hoodies have been breaking, a problem I’ll chalk up to rough treatment on my part and the statistical significance of having 20+ zippers on a jacket. SeV has been kind enough to replace these when they break. I wasn’t able to break any YKK zippers on this $450 leather number, but that’s not to say you won’t be the unlucky soul who does. Caveat jacket wearer.

With that out of the way, I’m pleased to report that this jacket is quite handsome and quite useful. It runs a bit small, so if you’re a hunk of beef like me, you may want to grab a bigger size. However, a large fit my husky frame just right and an XL would have been a bit to bulbous, I fear.

The jacket has 20 pockets, including a large iPad slot, as well as a cabling system that runs your headphone wires through little velcro stays that SeV calls a Personal Area Network. All of the pockets have either a magnetic or zipper closure and when fully packed you can carry a water bottle, a portable camera, phone, and even an iPad and a few magazines. The hidden pockets near the neck hold phones and sunglasses.

Will you ever wear something like this? If you travel, SeV is a godsend. Before I go through security I put all my stuff into my SeV jacket or hoodie and blow it through the X-Ray machine. The zipped pockets keep my wallet, watch, and 1-ounce vial of clown tears safe. I also stick my passport and other important gear in my SeV pockets on the plane so I can grab my iPods, pens, and ephemera while I’m seated.

If you’re not a big traveler, however, the only other folks who really need this are photographers and maybe artists. Otherwise, it’s a jacket with a lot of nice pockets.

At $450, I’m worried this jacket is a bit much for many. However, as the apex of SeV art, it’s an impressive piece of clothing and it will definitely, when fully loaded, make you feel like a SWAT team member on vacation.

Product Page


In The Future, We Won’t Even Know How To Open A Cereal Box Without A Mobile Phone

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 11:19 AM PST

The Mobile World Congress kicks off next week in Barcelona and sure to be a relevant part of that week-long conversation will be Augmented Reality. With several companies bringing new AR services to the market, Metaio sent out a press release this morning with yet another demo illustrating the value of the concept. Hot on the heels of their recent campaign with USA Today, this little demo video surfaces to show how “markerless computer vision” can assist with everyday activities.

I have to tell you, I battle with our office printer weekly, and I am waiting for an AR demo to surface that puts a big bull’s-eye on it so I can go all “Office Space” on that thing. Metaio, can you please hook us up with one?

Time Warner Told To Stop Using The Words ‘Fiber Optic’ In Its Advertising

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 11:00 AM PST

Flickr’d

Time Warner will have to stop using the words "fiber optic" to describe its broadband network. Verizon, whose Fios service is a bona fide fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service, took issue with some of Time Warner's advertising, complained to the relevant board, and walked away with a favorable ruling. Done and done.

Recent Time Warner advertisements used stirring language along the lines of: our "advanced fiber optic network delivers the future to you… for less."

The future, Conan?

The problem with that language is that while some of Time Warner's broadband infrastructure is, indeed, fiber optic, the so-called "last mile" is plain ol' coaxial cable. Compare that to Verizon and its Fios service, which is fiber optic from soup to nuts.

Bottom line is, Verizon complained to National Advertising Review Board, the board agreed with its complaint, and then told Time Warner to change the wording. Time Warner, having "exhausted its appeals," will now update its advertising to reflect the fact that it's not a true fiber-to-the-home situation.

Tesla Opens Showroom In Nation’s Capitol, Very Close To White House

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 09:59 AM PST

Today, Tesla opens its new Washington, D.C. showroom and starting tomorrow, February 11, Tesla will begin offering test drives of the Tesla Roadster. The showroom, located a few blocks from the White House at 1050 K St. N.W., is Tesla’s 16th store to open globally. Not only will customers be able to purchase Tesla Roadsters – and soon the Model S — but they will also be able to learn about Tesla’s technology and electric powertrain.

The D.C. site will also be home to a service department for those needing work done on their car — don’t expect them to do oil changes though. Further to the service department, the showroom will act as a regional hub for technicians, known as Tesla Rangers. The Tesla Rangers will travel to customer’s homes to perform inspections, upgrades and other services on their customer’s annual checkups.

Press Release

Tesla Motors Opens Washington, D.C. Showroom Test drives of the electric Roadster available starting Feb. 11

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Tesla Motors, maker of the Tesla Roadster, the only electric supercar on the road, opens its Washington, D.C. showroom today. Prospective customers are now welcome to visit the location for test drives of the vehicle that is leading the automotive industry toward a zero-emission future.

"Roadsters have driven more than 9 million miles around the world, saving close to 25,000 barrels of oil, and are truly leading the charge in electric vehicle technology," said Tesla's Vice President for Business Development Diarmuid O'Connell. "We're excited to bring this spirit of innovation to the nation's capital."

The D.C. showroom, located at 1050 K St. N.W. – just blocks from the White House – is Tesla's 16th store worldwide. It demonstrates the company's goal to revolutionize the automotive retail experience with showrooms designed to invite customers to both purchase cars and learn about Tesla's advanced electric powertrain technology.

The K Street location will also serve as a service station and regional hub for Tesla's mobile service squad. Technicians, known as Tesla Rangers, travel to customers' homes to perform annual inspections, firmware upgrades and other services. Tesla's innovative "house call" approach allows customers peace of mind no matter where they are located.

In addition to the $7,500 federal tax credit all U.S. customers receive when they purchase or lease a Roadster, D.C. residents are also exempt from vehicle excise taxes and get a $36 discount on their registration. In neighboring Maryland, buyers receive an additional tax credit of $2,000 for buying an electric vehicle, and both Maryland and Virginia Roadster owners have free access to HOV lanes.

Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds without using a drop of gasoline, the Tesla Roadster is the only automobile that offers supercar performance without supercar emissions. It travels 245 miles on a single charge and can be plugged into nearly any outlet in the world. With no spark plugs, pistons, hoses or belts, the Roadster requires less maintenance than conventional cars. No tailpipe also means no more smog checks, oil changes – and of course no more stops at the gas station.

About Tesla Motors

Tesla’s goal is to produce a full range of electric cars, from premium sports cars to mass market vehicles – relentlessly driving down the cost of electric vehicles. It is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production. Palo Alto, Calif.-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components. Tesla has delivered more than 1,500 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia. The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than most sports cars yet produces no emissions. Visit Tesla online at www.teslamotors.com.

Guitar Hero Didn’t Die A Natural Death, But Was Killed By Myopic Greed

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 09:30 AM PST

Flickr’d

Kudos to Activision for doing exactly what so many people had been predicting for years now. The world’s biggest video game publisher said yesterday that it was going to "disband Activision Publishing’s Guitar Hero business unit," citing a decline in interest in the music game genre. And what could possibly be the reason for that, hmm? Maybe releasing sequel after sequels after sequel in such a quick succession that you don’t give gamers any room to breathe? Gotta maximize short-term profits! The future? That’s someone else’s problem.

The last game in the series, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, was the sixth "main" game in the series, having been released last September. It only met with so-so reviews, currently hovering around 72 (out of 100) with the critics; users were still less kind.

Perhaps this is why people lost all interest in the franchise:

Guitar Hero: November 2005

Guitar Hero II: November 2006

Guitar Hero Encore Rock The 80s: July 2007

Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock: October 2007

Guitar Hero Aerosmith: June 2008

Guitar Hero World Tour: October 2008

Guitar Hero Metallica: March 2009

Guitar Hero Smash Hits: June 2009

Guitar Hero 5: September 2009

Band Hero: November 2009

Guitar Hero Van Halen: December 2009

Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock: September 2010

All the while, from late 2007 on, competing with all those Rock Band games. Games, which, incidentally, were better received critically. Let’s not forget the DJ Hero franchise, either.

My question is, how long will people keep supporting the Call of Duty franchise? When will folks realize that they’re paying $60, year in, year out, for what amounts to Quake III mods? And buggy ones at that.

LG G-Slate, Roll Out! Video Shows What Honeycomb Will Do With iOS

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 09:15 AM PST

With all the talk of Playbooks and TouchPads these days, it’s sad that poor old LG hasn’t had much traction with their 10-inch G-Slate aka The Optimus Pad.

Well how’s this for traction? This bit of fanfic shows the Optimus Pad fighting, Michael Bay-style, high over a futuristic cityscape. While we all know Honeycomb is going to be amazing, did you know it could shoot fire and lasers?

And smash apples?

The slate, soon to arrive on T-Mobile, features a 3D camera on the back and a 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor with 32GB of memory. It will arrive here in “early Spring,” which could mean March.

You can also expect to see the Optimus Pad next week at MWC. Sadly, however, the streets of Barcelona will probably remain rubble-free as the pad, in real life, is just a slab of plastic and glass unable to move, let alone fight Megatron.

Here is a slightly calmer look at the G-Slate.

via DailyiPhoneBlog


Apple’s Conquest Continues With Apple TV Gaming? Cupertino Going After Xbox And PS3?

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 09:06 AM PST

Apple seems to be taking over everything these days — they’ve done a remarkable job so far — however, there is one major lacking from their lineup: console games. There is a great opportunity for media delivery by way of the TV, and Apple certainly knows this. PS3, Xbox, streaming boxes and even Google TV have been making moves in this area for awhile; if Apple wants to make long-term success of the iTunes Stores, they need people buying into Apple TV. The gaming consoles have had a 1-up on the Apple TV for a while, just by offering games. Now, it appears that there are traces of gaming on Apple TV in the latest release of the iOS 4.3 beta. Could Apple be coming out with a gaming system and controller?

There are several references pointing to “ATVGames” and “ATVThunder” in the latest release that point to leaderboards like Game Center, ways to interact over multiplayer, a store front and a controller of some kind. The new controller could be just an iPhone or an entirely new piece of hardware. The Apple TV has a small amount of storage capacity, so if a game system were to become of it, it may end up streaming the games like OnLive. It’s possible that the Apple TV could process the streaming data locally with OpenGL.

If Apple were to add gaming to the Apple TV, would it be done well like the rest of Apple’s portfolio, or is still just a hobby?

[via engadget]
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